#Joe Hortiz

[thenfl]

Three Sleeper Undrafted Free Agents That Could Absolutely Make the Los Angeles Chargers Roster

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[lafbnetwork]

Los Angeles Chargers Draft Picks 2025: Tracking Future Chargers Draft Picks, Chargers Draft History

What draft picks do the Chargers have in 2025? Draft capital is more important than ever under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. While success will be determined on the field, future Chargers draft picks will play a critical role in how the years to come unfold. Here, we’ll be keeping track of the Chargers future draft picks first in the 2025 NFL Draft and in the following…

[news4usonline]

Traded Allen signals change for the Chargers 

Statistically, Keenan Allen has been the best pass catcher the Los Angeles Chargers have ever had. And there have been some good ones over the years. John Jefferson. Charlie Joiner. Kellen Winslow and Antonio Gates to name a few.  Several days into the 2024 NFL’s free agency period, the Chargers said bye to Allen, trading the veteran wide receiver to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round draft pick.  “What Keenan Allen has meant to the Chargers for more than a decade cannot adequately be expressed through mere words,” said Chargers President of Football Operations John Spanos. 

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by a Tennessee Titans defender on Dec. 18, 2022. Allen had eight catches for 6 yards in the Chargers' 17-14 win at SoFi Stadium. Photo by Sammy Saludo courtesy of The Compton Bulletin. What Allen has meant to the Chargers since he was drafted by the team in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft is somewhat immeasurable.  Without question, Allen was a fan favorite and just about the surest thing to catch the football that current Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and former signal-caller Philip Rivers ever had.  Allen departs the organization as the franchise leader in the number of passes caught (904) and in receiving yards (10, 530). Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler and has six 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. In five of the seasons that he played for the Chargers, Allen caught 100 passes or more.��  In 2023, Allen caught more passes than he ever had for the Chargers, coming up with 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. In layman’s terms, Allen was the bread and butter of the Chargers’ passing attack.  However, with the Chargers taking on a new general manager and head coach in the offseason, change has come to the Southern California franchise. Allen’s departure means the Chargers have parted ways with both of their starting wide receivers.  Early in free agency, the Chargers released Mike Williams. The team has also seen the exodus of running back Austin Ekeler, who took a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders via free agency.   In one week of free agency, the Chargers have cut ties with three of their top offensive playmakers in Allen, Williams, and Ekeler. If it was not clear before that the Chargers are embarking on a new era, the team’s recent moves now dictate the direction the franchise is headed towards. That starts with new head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. 

Sept. 22, 2019 - Mark Hammond/News4usonline - Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen (13) had a big day against the Houston Texans. It’s going to take some getting used to for Chargers fans not seeing No. 13 out on the field using his sure-handed mittens to come up clutch as he has always done throughout his career.  Moving the chains was Allen’s specialty. Whenever the Chargers were in a bind, it was usually Allen who would come through with some spectacular catch to keep the ball in play for the Chargers.    “Keenan’s impact lives in the hearts of our fans, in the communities which he has served and amongst the countless teammates who have formed a brotherhood with him,” Spanos said. “There will only be one Keenan Allen, and we cannot thank him enough for the contributions he has made to our organization both on and off the field.”   Top Photo Caption: Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) caught a 7-yard touchdown throw from Philip Rivers in LA's 19-10 win against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. File Photo/Credit Mark Hammond for News4usonline Read the full article

[bleedbigblue]

New Post has been published on Bleedbigblue.com

New Post has been published on https://bleedbigblue.com/giants-completed-interview-with-joe-hortiz/

Giants completed interview with Joe Hortiz

The New York Giants have completed an Interview with Ravens Director Of Player Personnel Joe Hortiz.

As per the New York Giants Press Release .

Joe Hortiz today became the seventh candidate to interview for the Giants’ vacant general manager position. Hortiz spoke with president John Mara, chairman Steve Tisch and senior vice president of player personnel Chris Mara this morning by videoconference. The initial interviews with candidates are being conducted remotely. Hortiz, 46, is completing his 24th season with the Baltimore Ravens and third as director of player personnel. He works closely with George Kokinis, the team’s other director of player personnel, to oversee all aspects of college and pro scouting for Baltimore. The pair serve as general manager Eric DeCosta’s chief personnel evaluators.

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[zellanews]

Steelers announce three more interviews for soon-to-be open general manager position - ZellaNews

Steelers announce three more interviews for soon-to-be open general manager position – ZellaNews

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images The search for the next general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers continues apace. The team announced Saturday that it had completed interviews this week with three additional candidates: Joe Hortiz, Ran Carthon, and Andy Weidl. Hortiz is the Director of Player Personnel for the division rival Baltimore Ravens, and has been with the organization for more than 20…

[shaneedwardsoc]

Giants add Ravens’ Joe Hortiz as ninth GM candidate; Bills’ Joe Schoen to interview first https://t.co/eU6cDufxww https://t.co/g4CjRJBMQl

Giants add Ravens’ Joe Hortiz as ninth GM candidate; Bills’ Joe Schoen to interview first https://t.co/eU6cDufxww https://t.co/g4CjRJBMQl

— ShaneEdwardsOC (@shaneedwardsoc) Jan 12, 2022

from Twitter https://twitter.com/shaneedwardsoc January 11, 2022 at 05:30PM

[thenfl]

Baltimore Ravens: We asked Director of Player Personnel Joe Hortiz to explain common scouting term...

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[perfectirishgifts]

Fab Five: These 5 Rookies Could Have Put The Green Bay Packers Over The Hump

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/fab-five-these-5-rookies-could-have-put-the-green-bay-packers-over-the-hump-2/

Fab Five: These 5 Rookies Could Have Put The Green Bay Packers Over The Hump

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen would have given the Green Bay Packers far more … [] immediate help than backup quarterback Jordan Love.

Imagine there’s 25 seconds left in Super Bowl LV.

Kansas City leads Green Bay, 34-30, when Packers’ speedy wideout Marquez Valdez-Scantling races behind the Chiefs’ defense for a potential 70-yard game winning touchdown. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers hits “MVS” in stride at the 10-yard line, only the remarkably inconsistent Valdez-Scantling drops the ball.

Or maybe the Packers lead the Chiefs by the same score in the closing moments. Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire runs a wheel route, Green Bay’s disappointing inside linebacker Christian Kirksey bites, and the Chiefs’ standout rookie races free for a game-winning 55-yard touchdown.

The way 2020 has played out, these scenarios certainly seem possible. And it has Packer Nation screaming, ‘What if?’

Back in April, the Packers used their first-round draft pick — the 26th overall selection — on quarterback Jordan Love. The move may turn out to be genius if Love blossoms into the player Green Bay’s management believes he can be and continues the Packers’ 30-year run of quarterback excellence.

In 2020, though, Love has been a non-factor.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played at an MVP level, Green Bay is in contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and several players selected after Love have enjoyed terrific rookie years.

Green Bay may eventually have the last laugh when it comes to Love. For now, though, these five players taken after Love — and before the Packers picked again in Round 2 — could have provided far greater dividends to Green Bay in 2020.

Patrick Queen, ILB, 28th overall pick

Queen remains in the hunt for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Queen leads Baltimore’s defense in tackles (84), has two sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Queen has struggled in pass coverage, but at just 21 years old, has plenty of time to improve in that area.

The Packers let inside linebacker Blake Martinez walk in free agency last year and signed the mediocre Christian Kirksey to replace him. Queen would have been a far better option.

“He can cover, he can blitz, he can do a lot of different things with the pass,” Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz said of Queen.

Tee Higgins, WR, 33th pick

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Higgins has already shown the ability to be a No. 1 wideout. Higgins has 729 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season, and at 21 years old could be Joe Burrow’s top target for years to come.

“I feel like every week he’s just become better and better,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of Higgins. “More consistent. Now he’s not thinking. He’s just going out there and runs and plays and catches.

“And now he’s done it enough times on tape against really good defenses. His confidence is through the roof. He can do it against anybody and he has done it.”

Green Bay ranks No. 1 in points scored (31.6) and second in total offense (396.6), so offense wasn’t necessarily its first need. The Packers’ wide receiver group is extremely thin, though, after Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, and Higgins might have made them almost indefensible.

Higgins would have also been a natural to replace Adams as the Packers’ No. 1 wideout down the road.

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, 34th pick

Pittman has emerged in recent weeks, with 17 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown in the last four games. While many scouts labeled Pittman a possession receiver, he’s shown more explosion and burst than some expected.

“This guy is fearless, now,” Colts coach Frank Reich said of Pittman. “He’s fearless in every way, but when the ball is in his hands, he wants to hurt somebody. He runs very aggressively.”

Much like Higgins, Pittman could have given Green Bay as many offensive weapons as Super Bowl favorite Kansas City.

Jordyn Brooks, LB, 27th pick

After a slow start, Brooks has come on and has 24 tackles in his last four games. He’s also been better than Queen in coverage, has two passes defensed and one tackle for loss.

“He’s a really good ballplayer, he’s helping us,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “The running and hitting part is really what he specializes in. He’s a terrific athlete, very explosive, as he continues to learn and get more in command of what he’s doing, he’s just going to be really good.”

Green Bay’s hasn’t had a difference maker at inside linebacker since Desmond Bishop a decade ago. Brooks — or the aforementioned Queen — could have changed that.

Chase Claypool, WR, 49th pick

Claypool leads all rookie receivers with 10 total touchdowns. He also has 47 receptions for 649 yards and has been one of the more versatile players in this draft class.

Like both Higgins and Pittman, Claypool would have been an enormous upgrade from Valdez-Scantling.

“We fell in love with Claypool by the way he sunk his teeth into the special teams combat down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “This guy was special teams MVP, I think, at Notre Dame in his second year at school there.

“So he showed football awareness in things that were outside the wide receiver position, and for us, we believe that that’s a good indicator that you got a football player and then they’re going to do the things that the wide receiver position required.”

From SportsMoney in Perfectirishgifts

[soccerdrawings]

Simple Guidance For You In Today Soccer | Today Soccer

If you anticipation Ozzie Newsome would absorb his canicule on sun-splashed golf courses far, far abroad from The Castle afterwards he stepped bottomward as Ravens accepted administrator aftermost year, you would be so, so wrong.

Soccer-Arsenal extends shirt sponsorship deal with Emirates .. | today soccer Newsome still comes to assignment every day at the august aggregation address that looks like some admixture from the Medieval era. He aloof absent his aboriginal convenance affair of the division this week, absorbed out of boondocks for Pro Football Anteroom of Fame board work. He still reviews every convenance on videotape. Still grades every player. Still studies the NFL to accumulate institutional intel.His above longtime understudy, Eric DeCosta, was animated to GM and has the final ascendancy on cadre matters …and begrudgingly confused into Newsome’s old office.It’s a activating that assuredly factors into the Ravens’ success as the NFL’s best aggregation during the approved season. “Incredibly seamless,” Ravens drillmaster John Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports of the GM transition. “The crazy affair is, it’s affectionate of what was expected, because those guys are so close. They formed calm all those years. It’s about like annihilation has changed, except Eric makes the final call.”DeCosta has absolutely fabricated able moves in architecture a agenda that has Baltimore (14-2) entering the AFC bounded playoff bold adjoin Tennessee on Saturday night — the one-year ceremony of the GM about-face — with a 12-game acceptable streak.But it’s acceptable that this run would not accept happened if Newsome, 63, hadn’t maneuvered to get aback into the aboriginal annular of the 2018 NFL abstract to baddest Lamar Jackson – the acceptable -to-be NFL MVP.What a departing allowance from the above GM. He acclimated his aftermost first-round aces (No. 32 overall) to appropriate the brilliant now assertive to backpack the authorization for years.And he did it while authoritative the blow of the NFL attending silly. Newsome airy boilerplate acumen and landed Jackson as the fifth quarterback drafted. While some teams fell in adulation with the arrogant Baker Mayfield, the beefcake Josh Allen or the “NFL-ready” Josh Rosen, Newsome envisioned that a aptitude who can run and canyon with aggressiveness can advance in the appropriate arrangement – the arctic adverse of Anteroom of Fame GM Bill Polian's assessment that the above Heisman Trophy champ should about-face positions.Polian has accepted that his bump of Jackson was based on antecedent quarterback standards. Now Jackson is a animated admonition of Newsome’s progressive cerebration aural a bold that consistently evolves.

Seven Advantages Of Soccer Games Today And How You Can Make .. | today soccer Newsome’s fingerprints on the Ravens go far above Jackson and accommodate larboard accouterment Ronnie Stanley (zero sacks accustomed in 2019), linebacker Matthew Judon (9½ sacks), bound end Mark Andrews (10 TDs) and abeyance bend Marlon Humphrey.DeCosta’s resume includes signing Mark Ingram as a chargeless abettor and contributions from a bulk of picks from his aboriginal draft, including receivers Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin, bend rusher Jaylon Ferguson and change-of-pace aback Justice Hill. And aback Ceremony 4, the Ravens accept brought in nine new players to aid arresting coordinator Wink Martindale’s rebuilding job.This is what seamless is declared to attending like.“The way Steve declared it,” Harbaugh added of aggregation buyer Steve Bisciotti, “basically the two guys would be switching seats.”The drillmaster paused and pondered.“I don’t anticipate this has anytime happened,” Harbaugh said.It helps that amidst the transition, key cadre administration abstracts Pat Moriarty, Joe Hortiz, George Kokinis and Vince Newsome backward put.Yet in a alliance angled on bloodthirsty antagonism and abounding with massive egos, the after-effects and centralized synergy are testaments to the adeptness Newsome has accustomed aback Art Modell, the backward above owner, promoted him in 2002 to become the aboriginal African American accepted administrator in NFL history.DeCosta, 48, could accept larboard the Ravens years ago, as some of Newsome’s antecedent understudies did in advancing added opportunities. Yet DeCosta was assuredly clean-cut to be the successor. Now, both backpack identical controlling carnality admiral titles, with DeCosta as GM.

Borg El Arab Stadium to host Cairo Derby - Egypt Today - today soccer | today soccer “Ozzie is a transformational leader,” Harbaugh said. “He develops people. He develops leaders. Attending at the guys beneath him who accept gone out. They’ve all done well. That’s aloof how he does it. He gives them responsibilities. He’s ambitious aerial expectations, but he trains them. That’s why Eric was so ready.”Strikingly, Newsome confused into Modell’s old office, while DeCosta now operates beyond the anteroom from Harbaugh. That adjacency to the drillmaster was why Newsome insisted that DeCosta booty his old space. As for switching seats, Newsome kept his aforementioned armchair in the War Room during the draft, although DeCosta makes the picks. That’s apparently aloof acceptable karma. Afterwards all, Newsome’s aboriginal two picks in 1996 (as cadre director) angry out to be Anteroom of Famers in Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis.Of course, Newsome’s abstract performances are why a case can be fabricated for him accepting two busts at the Pro Football Anteroom of Fame – the one he’s had aback anointed in 1999 for starring as a Cleveland Browns bound end and accession for architecture two audibly altered Super Bowl champions.Then again, he’s not done. The Ravens are the No. 1 berry in the AFC playoffs for the aboriginal time in authorization history.It’s added than alone acrimonious the talent. On top of acrimonious the talent, Newsome’s adeptness to chronicle to the aptitude has consistently provided a different dimension.Over the years, his big-brother accord with abounding players, including above stars Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, has been palpable. And aback bench or not, that attendance remains.Just accept to Orlando Brown Jr., the arising appropriate accouterment whom Newsome drafted in the third annular in 2018 – a bearing afterwards his backward ancestor was broke to man the trenches for the Bill Belichick-coached Browns and Ravens.“Ozzie’s been there for me aback Day 1, aback my dad was living,” Brown told USA TODAY Sports. “He meant a lot to my dad, aloof as far as the befalling that he gave him in the NFL.”

soccer games today - YouTube - today soccer | today soccer When he entered the NFL abstract out of Oklahoma, Brown wrote belletrist to Newsome, Harbaugh, DeCosta and others in the Ravens’ organization, in accession to Belichick and Patriots abhorrent band drillmaster Dante Scarnecchia.“It was added of a claimed accord with them,” Brown said. “I aloof capital them to apperceive area my affection was.”Belichick was the alone one to address back. Newsome drafted him. And their accord has developed stronger."Ozzie’s been annihilation but absolute for me,” Brown said. “And he’s consistently kept it real.”The Ravens are well-positioned to abide active one of the NFL’s best organizations with DeCosta calling the cadre shots and Harbaugh blame buttons from the sideline. But let’s accumulate it real: They are additionally advantageous Newsome hasn’t gone full-blast on retirement aloof yet.Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow Captions

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[webabybouquetwastelandfan]

Beginning at 11:45 a.m., there will be a press conference featuring executive vice president/general manager Eric DeCosta, head coach John Harbaugh and director of college scouting Joe Hortiz in the team’s auditorium.

from Local News https://www.wbal.com/article/381134/124/watch-live-ravens-to-hold-pre-draft-press-event-tuesday via WBAL

[rc0730]

Ravens heighten quarterback hype by bringing in Lamar Jackson for visit

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens are bringing in Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson for a pre-draft visit, according to The MMQB.

This will undoubtedly increase speculation that Baltimore is considering drafting a quarterback in the first round. The key question is: Are the Ravens really interested in Jackson or do they simply want others teams to think they are?

It’s not out of the question that Baltimore takes a quarterback with its top pick. Joe Flacco has struggled since winning the Super Bowl five years ago, and the Ravens can create $18.5 million in cap space in 2019 by designating him as a post-June 1 cut.

The Ravens’ front office has done nothing to quiet the hype that Baltimore will take a quarterback in the first round for the first time in a decade. Assistant general manager Eric DeCosta said the team would pick a quarterback if there’s one "really too good to pass up," and general manager Ozzie Newsome hinted the Ravens could "surprise" in the first round.

If Baltimore believes Flacco could be gone after this season, it makes sense to take a quarterback now, giving him a year to watch and learn. And, if the Ravens are eyeing a quarterback with the No. 16 overall pick, Jackson is the best bet among the top five quarterbacks to slide to the middle of the first round.

"Lamar, obviously, set the college landscape on fire his freshman year," Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz said. "He’s just a dynamic athlete, unbelievable speed when he gets out in the open as a runner, but he’s got a really strong arm, with the ability to drive the ball into tight windows. He’s the type of guy you can build around."

The Ravens’ visit with the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner could just be gamesmanship. If Baltimore isn’t interested in drafting a quarterback in the first round, it would be in the Ravens’ best interest to make other teams believe they are.

The more quarterbacks are taken in the top half of the first round — and four of them (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield) are virtual locks — the more it pushes highly rated (non-quarterback) prospects to No. 16. Showing interest in Jackson could prod a team wanting a young quarterback like the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 17), New England Patriots (No. 23, New Orleans Saints (No. 27) or Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 29) to jump in front of Baltimore.

Drafting a quarterback in the first round would go against Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti’s comments in February. Asked if it was time to start looking at life without Flacco, Bisciotti said, "We’ve got bigger fish to fry."

At Wednesday’s pre-draft news conference, Newsome said the Ravens haven’t paid more attention to this year’s quarterback class than previous ones.

"I think the quality of the number of guys maybe more than which allows us to make sure we do our homework," Newsome said.

Jackson is a unique talent, becoming the the only player in FBS history to rush for at least 1,500 yards and pass for at least 3,500 yards in a season. And Jackson accomplished this feat twice (in 2016 and 2017).

He went 22-11 as a starting quarterback at Louisville and was a touchdown machine. He reached the end zone 119 times (a school record), running for 50 and throwing for 69.

The biggest concern is his accuracy. He completed 57 percent of his throws for his career.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. described Jackson as an "in the area" thrower.

"He’s got to improve his accuracy. That’s a fact," Kiper said. "That 57 percent, you haven’t seen any improvement off of that. The combine, he was still all over the place with those throws, so that’s where you know he’s going to need some time and some work."

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[rafaeldiazjusto]

"Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously, I'll provide viewers an ins

“Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously, I’ll provide viewers an ins

“Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously, I’ll provide viewers an insight to the mindset of a coach and team while offering alternative views of various situations.. Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz said Bosa is plenty athletic to make the transition, but questions remain..

25, 2017, file photo, the Dallas Cowboys, led by owner…

[footballleague0]

A dream 10 years in making, Jermaine Eluemunor set for London homecoming – Baltimore Ravens Blog

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — When the Baltimore Ravens face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London, the NFL will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of regular-season games played in England.

It will see a determined and unconventional journey come full circle for Ravens rookie offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor.

As a 12-year-old in a north London suburb, Eluemunor was searching for an Arsenal football match on television when he stumbled upon the first American football game in England that counted. Watching the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins play on a muddy Wembley Stadium field in 2007, Eluemunor became enthralled by the contact of the sport and found a new passion.

“I had the dream of playing in the NFL — playing in Wembley Stadium one day,” Eluemunor said.

Stepping foot into Wembley as the 29th English-born NFL player is just part of Eluemunor’s story. His persistence to make this a reality is the more fascinating tale.

After watching his first NFL game, he googled “American football in London.” His search led to the London Blitz, a five-on-five flag football team that required a 10-minute bus ride from his home.

Eluemunor had to pay 10 pounds to practice and needed to buy his own jersey, which he didn’t have the money for. Instead, he put on an oversized shirt that fit over his shoulder pads.

“It was exciting because I was actually doing what I wanted to do. But it wasn’t the same,” Eluemunor said. “I wanted to hit and do everything that they were doing on TV.”

“I still have a long way to go. This is where I wanted to get to, but it’s not where I want to finish,” Jermaine Eluemunor said. Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports

MOVE TO THE STATES

A couple years later, Eluemunor showed how much he wanted to chase his goal of playing in the NFL when his father, mother, two sisters and brother were vacationing in the United States. Two days before the family was scheduled to return to England, his father asked him whether he wanted to move to America.

Eluemunor’s response: “Definitely.” His father, though, wasn’t as much of a fan.

“I’ve always supported my kids with whatever they wanted to do, even though I didn’t like American football,” John Eluemunor, Jermaine’s father, told NFL Films earlier this year. “I preferred soccer. But I had to support him.”

At the age of 14, Eluemunor moved to Danville, New Jersey, where he discovered how long a road it would be to the NFL. He didn’t know where to line up, and he called his uniform “a kit.”

As a senior in high school, Eluemunor sent out a couple hundred emails to every college he could name. The message read: “I haven’t been playing football for too long, but I know I can bring something to your team. I know I belong.”

The number of schools that replied: zero.

Eluemunor went to Lackawanna Junior College in Pennsylvania, where he started to get noticed from the first day he arrived. In a drill against the best defensive lineman on the team, Eluemunor surprised everyone by battling to a stalemate.

“My thing was I wasn’t going to let anyone or anything stand in my way,” Eluemunor said. “I had no other choice but to make it.”

A RISING PROSPECT

After two years of developing at junior college, Eluemunor sent a video highlight tape to major colleges and received a different response. Florida State and Ohio State both expressed interest in him before he chose Texas A&M.

Eluemunor was redshirted his first year, and he spent his first two years at as a backup. That changed when former NFL offensive line coach Jim Turner came to Texas A&M for Eluemunor’s senior year.

After one season as a starter, Eluemunor began rising up draft boards because of his versatility and potential to get better with more experience. He was ranked as the draft’s No. 7 offensive tackle by ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Projected to go as high as the third round, Eluemunor was selected by the Ravens in the fifth round.

“You look at him play and see the talent in his body when he is there and moving guys off the line of scrimmage,” said Joe Hortiz, the Ravens’ director of college scouting. “There is definitely a lot of upside. [There is] a lot to be excited about him.”

NFL DEBUT IN LONDON?

Injuries along the offensive line allowed Eluemunor to see extensive action in the preseason, including two starts. The Ravens wanted more experienced depth and traded for two veteran backups, which made Eluemunor inactive for the first two games. However, the season-ending injury to Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda on Sunday could create an opportunity for Eluemunor to suit up for a game.

“In all honesty, he was pretty raw when he first got here,” coach John Harbaugh said. “The song ‘500 Miles’ — it is one of my favorites. He has come 500 miles. He has come that far. He is about ready to play football for us, so we will see what happens.”

Although it would be poetic if Eluemunor’s first NFL game came at Wembley — the site of the American football game that inspired his journey — he isn’t dwelling on that potential moment.

“I still have a long way to go. This is where I wanted to get to, but it’s not where I want to finish,” Eluemunor said. “There’s a lot more I can do, and I plan on doing it.”

The post A dream 10 years in making, Jermaine Eluemunor set for London homecoming – Baltimore Ravens Blog appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

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[giantsfootball0]

A dream 10 years in making, Jermaine Eluemunor set for London homecoming – Baltimore Ravens Blog

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — When the Baltimore Ravens face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London, the NFL will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of regular-season games played in England.

It will see a determined and unconventional journey come full circle for Ravens rookie offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor.

As a 12-year-old in a north London suburb, Eluemunor was searching for an Arsenal football match on television when he stumbled upon the first American football game in England that counted. Watching the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins play on a muddy Wembley Stadium field in 2007, Eluemunor became enthralled by the contact of the sport and found a new passion.

“I had the dream of playing in the NFL — playing in Wembley Stadium one day,” Eluemunor said.

Stepping foot into Wembley as the 29th English-born NFL player is just part of Eluemunor’s story. His persistence to make this a reality is the more fascinating tale.

After watching his first NFL game, he googled “American football in London.” His search led to the London Blitz, a five-on-five flag football team that required a 10-minute bus ride from his home.

Eluemunor had to pay 10 pounds to practice and needed to buy his own jersey, which he didn’t have the money for. Instead, he put on an oversized shirt that fit over his shoulder pads.

“It was exciting because I was actually doing what I wanted to do. But it wasn’t the same,” Eluemunor said. “I wanted to hit and do everything that they were doing on TV.”

“I still have a long way to go. This is where I wanted to get to, but it’s not where I want to finish,” Jermaine Eluemunor said. Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports

MOVE TO THE STATES

A couple years later, Eluemunor showed how much he wanted to chase his goal of playing in the NFL when his father, mother, two sisters and brother were vacationing in the United States. Two days before the family was scheduled to return to England, his father asked him whether he wanted to move to America.

Eluemunor’s response: “Definitely.” His father, though, wasn’t as much of a fan.

“I’ve always supported my kids with whatever they wanted to do, even though I didn’t like American football,” John Eluemunor, Jermaine’s father, told NFL Films earlier this year. “I preferred soccer. But I had to support him.”

At the age of 14, Eluemunor moved to Danville, New Jersey, where he discovered how long a road it would be to the NFL. He didn’t know where to line up, and he called his uniform “a kit.”

As a senior in high school, Eluemunor sent out a couple hundred emails to every college he could name. The message read: “I haven’t been playing football for too long, but I know I can bring something to your team. I know I belong.”

The number of schools that replied: zero.

Eluemunor went to Lackawanna Junior College in Pennsylvania, where he started to get noticed from the first day he arrived. In a drill against the best defensive lineman on the team, Eluemunor surprised everyone by battling to a stalemate.

“My thing was I wasn’t going to let anyone or anything stand in my way,” Eluemunor said. “I had no other choice but to make it.”

A RISING PROSPECT

After two years of developing at junior college, Eluemunor sent a video highlight tape to major colleges and received a different response. Florida State and Ohio State both expressed interest in him before he chose Texas A&M.

Eluemunor was redshirted his first year, and he spent his first two years at as a backup. That changed when former NFL offensive line coach Jim Turner came to Texas A&M for Eluemunor’s senior year.

After one season as a starter, Eluemunor began rising up draft boards because of his versatility and potential to get better with more experience. He was ranked as the draft’s No. 7 offensive tackle by ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Projected to go as high as the third round, Eluemunor was selected by the Ravens in the fifth round.

“You look at him play and see the talent in his body when he is there and moving guys off the line of scrimmage,” said Joe Hortiz, the Ravens’ director of college scouting. “There is definitely a lot of upside. [There is] a lot to be excited about him.”

NFL DEBUT IN LONDON?

Injuries along the offensive line allowed Eluemunor to see extensive action in the preseason, including two starts. The Ravens wanted more experienced depth and traded for two veteran backups, which made Eluemunor inactive for the first two games. However, the season-ending injury to Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda on Sunday could create an opportunity for Eluemunor to suit up for a game.

“In all honesty, he was pretty raw when he first got here,” coach John Harbaugh said. “The song ‘500 Miles’ — it is one of my favorites. He has come 500 miles. He has come that far. He is about ready to play football for us, so we will see what happens.”

Although it would be poetic if Eluemunor’s first NFL game came at Wembley — the site of the American football game that inspired his journey — he isn’t dwelling on that potential moment.

“I still have a long way to go. This is where I wanted to get to, but it’s not where I want to finish,” Eluemunor said. “There’s a lot more I can do, and I plan on doing it.”

The post A dream 10 years in making, Jermaine Eluemunor set for London homecoming – Baltimore Ravens Blog appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

from https://dailystarsports.com/2017/09/20/a-dream-10-years-in-making-jermaine-eluemunor-set-for-london-homecoming-baltimore-ravens-blog/ from https://dailystarsports.tumblr.com/post/165544699461

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Beginning at 11:45 a.m., there will be a press conference featuring executive vice president/general manager Eric DeCosta, head coach John Harbaugh and director of college scouting Joe Hortiz in the team’s auditorium.

from Local News https://www.wbal.com/article/381134/124/ravens-to-hold-pre-draft-press-event-tuesday via WBAL

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Brett Hollander spoke to assistant general manager Eric DeCosta and college scouting director Joe Hortiz.

from Local News http://www.wbal.com/article/231029/124/hear-from-ravens-brass-about-draft-plans via WBAL